The State Library of Western Australia has reopened after 56 days of forced closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the doors were closed a record number of new members joined and a range of new services were introduced.
These included mystery boxes of books with requests made online and books picked up via a safe drive-through process.
Recognising some vulnerable members of the community would not have access to the internet with the closure of the Library, a service was activated enabling people to engage with the Government online, apply for work, and to remain in contact with family and friends.
Twice a day, families at home with young children could access a link to online stories and activities mostly created in-house by the Library’s Better Beginnings team.
During the closure the State Library also put a comprehensive COVID Safety Plan in place to ensure client safety, including the cleaning of computer keyboards after every use.
Books used and returned will be quarantined for 24 hours before they are made available again.
Minister for Culture and the Arts, David Templeman said the silver lining to being closed was that the State Library, like most libraries, had to innovate.
“It had to work on new ways to serve the public, and I am proud of what it achieved,” Mr Templeman said.
“Libraries are more than books; they are meeting places, they are places which break down the digital divide, they are safe places— so I am very happy that we are in a position to reopen”
He urged all Local Governments to also open their libraries.
